Cargo containers

ABSTRACT

A cargo container comprises a rigid walled structure within which is a movable shield. A flexible corrugated sleeve is connected peripherally to the shield and to a fixed rigid wall of the container to form an expansible vessel. The fixed rigid wall and/or the shield has a peripheral channel with a constricted opening which receives one end of the sleeve and an inflatable member which retains said one end in the channel to form a fluidtight seal. The sleeve has flexible tie belts to cause smooth uniform extension of the sleeve on movement of the shield. The shield can be locked in a number of positions relative to the rigid walled structure. The rigid walls support the sleeve against internal pressure and protect it from external damaging influences.

1 51 Apr. 25, 1972 United States Patent Kassravi 541 CARGO CONTAINERS2,916,058 12/1959 Untank.............................220/85 B x [72]Inventor: Mohamed Ruholah Yazdanl Kassrav" PDQ. 3,028,040 4/1962Woodard..............................220/85 B Box 1701, Dar es Salaam,Tanzania FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS NOV-12,1970 1,100,852 9/195588,969

Related US. Application Data {63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.728,987, May 14,

220/85 B ....220/85 B 540,876 3/1956Italy.....................................220/63 R 1,164,343 3/1964Germany....

[22] Filed:

[21] Appl. No.:

Primary Examiner-George E. Lowrance Attorney-Jones & Lockwood 1968, Pat.No. 3,570,705.

[57] ABSTRACT A cargo container comprises a rigid walled structurewithin which is a movable shield. A flexible corrugated sleeve is con-[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Nov. 20, 1969Italy...........................4l624A/69 .220/63 R, 220/85 B, 280/5 Rnected peripherally to the shield and to a fixed rigid wall of thecontainer to form an expansible vessel. The fixed rigid wall k jgfgiand/or the shield has a peripheral channel with a constricted 52 511111.0................... 581 FieldofSearch......

opening which receives one end of the sleeve and an inflatable memberwhich retains said one end in the channel to form a 280/5 R; ISO/0.5

R f Cit d fluidtig'ht seal. The sleeve has flexible tie belts to causesmooth 9 erences e uniform extension of the sleeve on movement of theshield. UNITED STATES PATENTS The shield can be locked in a number ofpositions relative to the rigid walled structure. The rigid wallssupport the sleeve /0-5 against internal pressure and protect it fromexternal damag- .220/84 X ing influences. .........220/85 B 3,623,5652,775,360 Phillips 2,798,639 7/1957 Urban 12 Drawing Figures 10 Claims,

wil

PATENTEDAPR 25 I972 3,658,205

sum 1 [IF 9 PATENTEDAFR 25 m2 SHEET 30F 9 N NNN PATENTED APR 2 5 I972PATENTEB APR 2 5 I972 SHEET 8 OF 9 PATENTEDAPR 25 I972 SHEET 9 UP 9CARGO CONTAINERS This application is a continuation-in-part of myearlier filed application, Ser. No. 728 987, filed on May 14, 1968, nowU.S. Pat. No. 3,570,705.

This invention relates to cargo containers.

Liquids are normally transported in bulk, where the use of a pipe lineis impracticable, in vehicles, aircraft, or ships fitted with rigidtanks. One of the major factors contributing to the expense oftransporting liquids in bulk in such specially constructed tankers isthat, once having delivered their loads, whether by sea, by air, by roador by rail, they must usually make the return trip empty.

Various proposals have been made for constructing a container which canbe used either for carrying a liquid cargo or for carrying a load ofsolid material after the liquid has been discharged from the container.Thus such proposals have included a rigid walled container with amovable platform inside it which is attached to the top of a thin walledflexible vessel. Such a container is described in Italian Pat. No. 540876 (Rinck). Other forms of collapsible containers have included a rigidplatform, a thin walled flexible tank and a series of bulky hinges toestablish the fold lines of the flexible tank as the tank collapses.Examples of such tanks are described in UK. Specifications Nos. 832 409and l 032 656.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved cargo containercapable of carrying a liquid cargo on one trip and of v carrying a solidcargo on another trip, for example a return trip.

According to the present invention a cargo container comprises a. afirst rigid member,

b. a second rigid member, substantially coextensive with said firstrigid member and movable towards and away from said first rigid memberbetween an inner position relatively close to said first rigid memberand an outer position relatively far from said first rigid member,

c. a flexible fluid impermeable sleeve having a plurality of performedcorrugations therein and extensible in concertina-like fashion,

d. sleeve securing means sealingly securing said ends of said sleeveperipherally to said first and second rigid members respectively wherebysaid sleeve and said rigid members together form an expansiblefluidtight vessel, said sleeve securing means including (i) a peripheralflange on at least one said rigid member and defining a channel having aconstricted opening, which channel is adapted to receive one end of saidsleeve, and (ii) an inflatable member within said channel, whereby oninflation of said inflatable member said one end is sealed in fluidtightfashion peripherally to said rigid member,

e. continuous rigid outer walls fast with said first rigid member andadapted to guide said second rigid member in its movement between thesaid inner and outer positions, to support said sleeve against pressurewithin said vessel and to protect said sleeve against external damaginginfluences, and

f. spacer means mounted within said vessel and spaced from said rigidouter walls so as to provide between said first and second rigid membersand between said spacer means and said rigid outer walls in said innerposition of said second rigid member a dead space to receive saidsleeve.

Conveniently said second rigid member comprises a reinforced platformmovable in a substantially vertical direction between said inner andouter positions and said first rigid member forms the base of saidexpansible vessel.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood and readilycarried into effect, several preferred embodiments thereof will now bedescribed, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container in accordance with theinvention,

FIG. 2 shows a cross section on the line IIII of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a cross section through the container of FIG. 1 in itscollapsed position,

FIG. 4 is a detail view ofFIG. 3,

FIG. 5 shows another detail view of part of the container of FIG. 1,

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the expansible vessel of the containerof FIG. 1,

FIG. 7 shows a detail view of a container with a modified form ofbracing means,

FIG. 8 shows a detail view of a modified form of container provided withlocking means for locking the shield in its outer position,

FIG. 9 shows a cross section through another modified form of containerfitted with a set of locking members for locking the shield in aposition intermediate its inner and outer positions,

FIG. 10 and 11 shows further details of the container of FIG. 9 and FIG.12 shows a detail view of yet another form of container in accordancewith the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6 of the drawings, the cargo container issupported on a pair of longitudinal girders 10 which may form part ofthe chassis of a vehicle (the rest of which is not shown). The base ofthe cargo container consists of a frame made up of a number oflongitudinal spars 20 secured at their ends to metal elements 12 ofC-shape having the concavity facing downwards. Brackets 15 are bolted bymeans of bolts 17 to elements 12. Brackets 15 are welded to panels 16which form the rigid outer walls of the container and welded to panels16 are vertical members 14 to impart rigidity to the outer walls of thecontainer.

By unbolting the bolts 17 the rigid outer walls, including the verticalmembers 14, the brackets 15 and the cladding panels 16 can be demountedfrom the rest of the container as a single unit in order to expose theoutside of the expansible vessel which will be described hereafter.

A rigid flat base plate 22 is mounted on the members 12 and 20. Baseplate 22 serves as the bottom plate of an expansible vessel or tank,whose side walls 24 are in the form of a sleeve of a flexible fluidimpermeable material, such as oil-resisting rubber, and are pleated soas to cause the side walls 24 to collapse in concertina-like fashion.The tank has a roof which is formed by a movable platform 26 whichserves as a rigid protective shield for the tank and is reinforced so asto be capable of carrying a load and, when the tank contains liquid, ofresisting the pressure of the liquid within the tank. Movable platform26 may slide up and down inside the rigid outer walls which serve toguide it. The inner surface of the outer walls is made as smooth aspossible to minimize the possibility of the flexible side walls 24 beingpunctured by chafing during movement of the vehicle or during loading orunloading of the liquid cargo. As can be seen from the drawings, theside walls 24 retain their corrugated conformation when the platform 26is in its upper position. In other words the sleeve of flexible materialforming the side walls 24 is never fully extended even when platform 26is in its upper position.

To the underside of the movable platform 26 are welded a number ofpillars 30, which can be of round section (as shown) or square section.Pillars 30 are distributed regularly over the central part of theplatform 26. At their lower ends pillars 30 are fitted with pads 36 ofoil-resistant rubber. Thus, when the platform 26 is in its lower,collapsed position, it is spaced from the base plate 22 and pillars 30rest with their rubber pads 36 on the base plate 22. These pads 36 serveto absorb shocks and minimize the vibration of the platform 26 when thevehicle is in motion.

The combined height of the pillars 30 and the rubber pads 36 permits theflexible side walls 24 to pack away in concertina-like fashion beneaththe movable platform 26 (when it is in its lower, collapsed position) inthe dead space between platform 26 and the base plate 22 and surroundingthe pillars 30.

The top ends of the elements 14 are connected by boxsection girders 38,on top of which are secured Z-section members 40. Portions 42 of members40 form an internal flange running around the inside of the upper edgeof the rigid outer walls. A strip 44 is welded to the members 40. Tiebars 45 are bolted to the Z-section members 40 to connect the top edgesof the outer walls to brace them, particularly when the container ispart empty and the platform is in an intermediate position. Tie bars 45can be removed if desired when the container is completely empty.

At intervals around the internal flange formed by portions 42 aremounted a series of downwardly projecting pins 46 (best seen in FIG. 4).The platform 26 has a corresponding series of holes 48 around itsperiphery, into which the pins 46 may engage when the platform 26 is inits upper, erected position (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) to locate theplatform 26 and limit further upward movement thereof.

A number of composite adjustable bracing members are provided for usewhen the tank is not full; each of these adjustable bracing members hasthree parts, an upper part 50 with a socket into which a pin 46 on theflange may fit, a tubular middle part 52, and a lower part 54 whichincorporates a jack and has a peg 56 to fit in the hole 48 in theplatform 26 corresponding to the chosen pin 46. Middle parts 52 ofvarious lengths are provided so that the platform 26 may be secured atits lower position (with the longest middle part 52 as shown in FIGS. 3and 4) by suitable adjustment of the jack or located at any positionintermediate its erected and collapsed positions with the aid of shortermiddle parts 52. The jack of lower part 54 can be extended for finaladjustment of height and in order to pressurize the tank when itcontains liquid by adjustment of a nut 56'. As can be seen from FIG. 4 aspigot on the bottom end of upper part 50 fits into the top end oftubular middle part 52 and a spigot on the lower part 54 fits into itsbottom end so that the composite adjustable bracing member serves tolocate the platform 26 and to prevent further upward movement thereof.

FIG. 4 also shows the method of effecting a seal between the flexibleside walls 24 and the platform 26 and base plate 22 respectively.

Thus the upper end of side walls 24 is provided with a bead 116 which isreceived in a corresponding groove 118 in the underside of the platform26. An angle member 120 is secured by bolts 12] to the edge of platform26 to form a channel to receive the upper end of side walls 24 andrubber pads 59 are fitted to the outside edge of this to prevent theplatform 26 scoring the side walls 16. Bolts 121 are received in nuts140 welded to the platform 26. Angle member 120 is shaped so that thereis a constricted opening between its lip 122 and the underside of theplatform 26. An inflatable member 124 is positioned within the channelformed between the angle member 120 and the underside of the platform 26and is inflated by means of a pipe 141 through a valve 143 (shown inFIG. to a pressure of (say) 50 p.s.i.g. to seal the upper end of theside walls 24 to the platform 26. Beneath angle member 120 there is arubber pad 126 to prevent chafing against the side walls 24 when theplatform 26 is in its lower position.

The sealing arrangement between the bottom end of the side walls 24 andthe base 22 is similar to that just described for sealing the top end tothe platfonn 26.

The lower end of the side walls 24 is provided with a bead 142 receivedwithin a peripheral groove 144. An angle member 146 is secured inposition by bolts 148, its lip 149 defining a constricted opening to achannel within which is received an inflatable member 151. Inflatablemember 151 can be inflated through a valve (not shown) to seal the lowerend of the side walls 24 to the base of the container.

Pipe 141 can be connected to a pressure gauge (not shown) on the outsideof the container or, if the container is permanently mounted on avehicle, to an instrument on the dashboard of the vehicle. In this way,in the somewhat unlikely event of the inflatable member springing aleak, warning can be had of the danger of the seal between the sidewalls and the platform breaking down and proper action can be taken toprevent or minimize spillage of liquid from within the tank. In asimilar way a gauge may be provided to monitor the pressure in theinflatable member 151.

Both inflatable members 142 and 151 are continuous around the peripheryof the sleeve 24 and are each shaped somewhat like the inner tube of apneumatic bicycle tire.

The sealing arrangement adopted in the illustrated container has theadvantage that any change in the shape or thickness of the end portionsof the sleeve 24, for example by reason of permanent set if the sleeve24 is made of rubber, does not result in leakage of the contents of thetank provided that the members 124 and 151 remain properly inflated.

As shown in FIG. 1 a man-hole 61 is provided in the platform 26 topermit of access to the inside of the tank for inspection, cleaning orrepair.

The liquid inlet pipe leads up through the base plate 22 and its outerend (see FIG. 1) is fitted with a proper gate valve 62, a pressure gauge64 and a pressure relief valve (not shown). Except while the tank isbeing filled or emptied, the outlet is protected by a screw-on brass cap66. To fill the tank a hose can be coupled to the outer end of the inletpipe and liquid (e.g. oil) pumped in.

The tank is also provided with an air vent pipe, the outlet of which isfitted with a valve 68. This air vent pipe is connected to a nipple inthe base plate 22 and a flexible hose leads up from the nipple to theplatform 26 where it is connected to an inverted U-pipe 72, the free endof which is flush with the underside of the platform. ConvenientlyU-pipe 72 is mounted in the man-hole 61. At about its midpoint theflexible hose 70 passes through the short metal sleeve 74 which has anelbow bend in it; one end of a helical spring 76 is attached to sleeve74 and the other end is attached to the underside of platform 26. Thisspring 76 is so positioned that when the platform 26 is in its lower,collapsed position the flexible pipe 70 is stowed between the platform26 and the base plate 22 so however as not to be borne upon by anyspacing or load bearing member, such as one of the pillars 30, and toprevent the flexible pipe 70 being damaged by being nipped between apillar 30 and the base plate 22 or becoming entangled with the flexibleside walls 24.

With tie rods 45 in position and with valves 62 and 68 open the tank canbe filled through the liquid inlet pipe. When the liquid starts to runout of deairing valve 68, it shows that the air inside the tank iscompletely extracted. The valve 68 should then be shut and fillingcontinued. As the tank fills the flexible walls 24 straighten and theplatform 26 rises until the pins 46 engage in the holes 48 to hold theplatform firmly in position. (The adjustable bracing members constitutedby the parts 50, 52 and 54 are, of course, removed during the fillingoperation). Then more liquid is pumped in until the correct pressure isreached at which the corrugations of the flexible side walls 24 arepressed against the cladding panels 16 and are supported againstpressure from within the tank by the outer walls. The gate valve 62 isthen closed. If the tank is correctly filled and substantially air free,slopping and surging of liquid within the tank is minimized with theconsequent minimization of the danger to the stability of any vehicle onwhich the container should be mounted.

When the tank vehicle with its full load reaches its destination, thecontents of the tank can be discharged through the valve 62, the airrelease valve 68 being opened to permit the tank to be drained to thefullest extent.

Since the adjustable bracing members are provided with a variety ofmiddle parts 52, the platform 26 can be secured at positionsintermediate its upper, erected position and lower collapsed position bybracing the platform against the pressure within the tank. For examplethere may be three middle parts 52 which correspond to the tank beingone-fourth, one-half and three-fourths full respectively. Thus a lorryfitted with the illustrated container can make a series of calls andmake deliveries of liquid at each stop. After each delivery the platformcan be secured in position by choosing the appropriate middle part 52and adjusting the jack 54 and the slopping and surging of liquid in thetank can be minimized however much liquid the tank contains.

When the platform 26 is secured in its lower, collapsed position, thelorry is ready to be loaded, like any other lorry, with any desiredsolid material, such as copper ingots, on top of the platform. 26. Adoor 78 in the end wall of the housing can be opened to facilitate theloading and offloading of solid material onto the lorry.

The flexible side walls 24 are made from a material chosen to suit theliquid that it is intended to transport, and they retain theircorrugated conformation when the platform is in its upper position andthe tank is fully loaded. Thus if, for example, the tank is intended tocarry oil, the flexible side walls should be made of the best availablegrade of oil-resisting rubber. Alternatively, flexible side walls may bemade of rubber having a flexible reinforcement or of a flexible plasticsmaterial. Alternatively the side walls may be made from flexible steelsheets. It is true that the life of the tank may be less than the lifeof a rigid metal tank but this disadvantage will usually be compensatedby the fact that lorries may carry a useful load both on the outward andreturn trips and in the case of an accident the content is doublysecured.

The expansible vessel is illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 6. Asalready stated the side walls 24 are pre-molded or preformed with aseries of corrugations 90 and 92 so that the sleeve can extend inconcertina-like fashion. The outwardly directed corrugations 92 arereinforced with strips 86. A series of flexible tie belts 80 are fixedvertically by their top ends 82 to the platform 26 and at their bottomends 84 to the base plate 22. The tie belts 80 are secured at the points88 to the reinforcing strips 86. Thus tie belts 80 may be sewn toreinforcing strips 86 before the latter are molded into the flexiblerubber walls 24. As can be seen from FIG. 6 tie belts 80 are secured tothe outwardly directed corrugations 92 at the points 88, and eachadjacent pair of points 88 are separated by an inwardly directedcorrugation 90. With this arrangement, when the expansible vesselexpands to its open position, the tie belts 80 become fully extended andcontrol the extension of the walls 24. Because tie belts 80 areinextensible and the points 88 are uniformly spaced along the tie beltsuniform opening of the corrugations of the flexible walls 24 is assured.This arrangement therefore helps to minimize uneven wearing of theflexible walls 24. Since in the absence of tie belts 80 the liquidpressure in the initial stage of filling, tends to press the lowerpleats of the flexible rubber walls 24 against the rigid housing andremain folded while the higher pleats open extensively and this reducesthe life of flexible wall especially at corners.

The tie belts 80 can be placed at intervals around the container, forexample from 40 to 50 centimeters apart.

It will be noted from FIG. 6 that the tank is not exactly rectangular inplan but has its corners cut off. The corner may be molded in any othershape, round or exactly rectangular. The latter shape is speciallyemployed if the corners of the tanks are to be built according to ISORegulations.

It is envisaged that the pressure inside the tank when it is fullyloaded should be about 2.5 lbs. per square inch. It is possible to testwhether or not the tank has a leak in it and to check that the valvesare properly closed by pressurizing the tank with air to a pressure ofabout 5 lbs. per square inch before it is filled with liquid; if thetank has a leak then the pressure inside the tank will gradually drop.

Although the container of FIGS. 1 to 6 is illustrated as forming part ofa vehicle, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that itmay readily be modified to provide a dismountable container, which canbe carried by any appropriate form of land, sea or air transport and canbe stacked.

FIG. 7 illustrates another form of container with a modified form ofadjustable bracing member for securing the platform in its lowerposition or in positions intermediate its upper and lower positions. Inthis arrangement the upper end of the part 50 is provided with athreaded member 94 rotatably mounted in the top thereof. Member 94 has aT-shaped head piece 96 and integrally formed with it a nut portion 98. Anut 100 is also threaded on member 94. Portions 42 are provided withcorresponding slots 102. With the jacks of the parts 54 in theirunextended condition T-shaped pieces 96 are aligned with the slots 102and inserted therethrough. With the aid of a spanner and the nut portioneach member 94 is then rotated so that the T-shaped head piece 96 liesacross the slot 102 as illustrated in FIG. 7. While member 94 is held inthis position by means of the nut portion 98 the nut 100 can then betightened up to clamp upper part 50 firmly in place. A similararrangement can be adopted at the bottom of the lower parts 54.

FIG. 8 shows a modified form of container having a number of lockingmembers for locking its platform 26 in its upper position. These lockingmembers 104 have T-shaped heads 106 and corresponding slots 108, 110 and111 are provided in the parts 44 and 42 and the platform 26 respectivelythrough which T-shaped piece 106 can be inserted. The upper end ofmember 104 is threaded and is provided with a nut 112 while the top end114 of member 104 is shaped to receive a spanner. In use, when theplatform 26 in its upper position, T-shaped piece 106 is insertedthrough slots 108 and 110 and member 104 is then rotated through 90using a spanner and the shaped end 114 until the T-shaped piece 106 liestransverse to the slots 108 and 110. Nut 112 can then be tightened up tolock the platform 26 firmly in position. Sleeve 115 is aligned betweenslot 100 and 110 and welded in position for reinforcement purposes. Itmay be sufficient to provide four such members 104, one near each cornerof the platform. The platform 26 may be locked in position with themembers 104 either when the container is filled with liquid or when itis desired to gain access to the interior thereof.

FIGS. 9 to 11 show detailed views of another form of container inaccordance with the invention.

A series of nuts 128 are welded around the periphery of the platform 26.In the container of FIGS. 9 to 11 the vertical members 14 of FIG. 1 arereplaced by pairs of vertical channel members 130. At a heightcorresponding to some convenient position of the platform 26, forexample corresponding to the position of the platform 26 when thecontainer is empty, onefourth, one-half or three-fourths full orcompletely full of liquid, bridging members 132 are provided spanningbetween a pair of members 130 (see FIG. 10).

Members 132 and panels 16 are pierced to allow insertion of bolts 136.When the holes in the panel 16 are not in use they can be plugged fromoutside with flat plugs to provide an even face with the inner surfaceof the panel 16 to avoid any inner unevenness.

A number of spring loaded pins (not shown) may be provided around thecontainer at heights corresponding to the members 132, which pins clickinto corresponding recesses in the edge of the platform 26 somewhatafter the manner of a spring loaded ball catch, to facilitate insertionof the bolts 136. The spring loaded pins do not prevent further upwardor downward movement of the platform 26 but serve merely to assist inlevelling the platform to facilitate insertion of the bolts 136.

When the bolts 136 are in position the platform 26 is locked inposition. With this arrangement the bracing members illustrated in FIG.3 can be dispensed with.

Alternatively the nuts 128 may be positioned so that they lie opposite achannel member 130. In this case, as shown in FIG. 11 a sleeve 138 maybe welded inside the channel member 130 to facilitate insertion of thebolt 136.

FIG. 12 shows part of a container with an alternative form of sealingarrangement. A curved section member is welded to a top plate 152 of thetank (forming the underside of platform 26) around its periphery. Thefree edge of the flexible side walls 24 is provided with an enlargedbead 154. An inflatable member 156 lies within the curved sectionmember, 150 so that the flexible side wall 24 lies between it and thecurved member 150. The inflatable member 156 is inflated sufficientlyhard to press the part of the flexible side wall 24 within the curvedsection 150 against the walls of the curved section member 150 and sokeep it in place. As before a rubber packing piece 158 is provided toprevent undue wear by virtue of rubbing of platform 26 against thecladding panels In the case of a container intended for carriage upon,or incorporation into, for example a railway truck, it may be moreconvenient to provide a door (corresponding to door 78 of the containerof the drawings) in one of the longer side walls rather than in thenarrower end wall or in addition to the door 78 in order to facilitateloading of the truck with solid materials.

Where a container is intended for carriage by air or for incorporationinto an aircraft, the rigid parts should be made of a suitable lightmaterial such as duraluminium.

Instead of making the container with a substantially rectangularhorizontal cross section it would be possible, and in some casesdesirable, to make a container having a circular cross section withcylindrical outer walls and a circular platform.

For some applications it would be possible to construct a cargocontainer similar to the illustrated container but in which theplatform" and the base" are arranged substantially vertically and themovement of the platform relative to the base is in a horizontaldirection. In such an arrangement it would be one of the rigid outerwalls that is reinforced so as to be capable of carrying a load and theplatform" (or rigid protective shield) need not be reinforced. For theavoidance of doubt it is hereby stated that it is intended that suchconstructions should fall within the scope of the invention.

Although the illustrated embodiments have been described with particularreference to the carriage of oil, it will be appreciated that any liquidmay be carried provided that suitable materials are chosen for theexpansible vessel. As examples of other liquids that may be stored ortransported in a container in accordance with the invention, there maybe mentioned petrol, milk, liquid fertilizer, liquid chemicals andwater. With some modification to the base other commodities like cement,flour, and grain can be carried inside the container instead of liquid.

To comply with the ISO Regulations for freight containers, the containercan be manufactured in international dimensions e.g. 8 ft. X 8 ft. X 20ft. or 8 ft. X 8 ft. X 40 ft. and with slight modification in the topand bottom frame the standard corner pieces can be fixed to conform inouter shape and dimensions exactly to the internationally approvedregulations for freight containers for ship, road, rail trucks andtrailers.

The collapsible element i.e. platform 26, base plate 22 and the flexiblewall 24 fixed together can be put in an ordinary standard container withwalls that are smooth on the inside to make it a double purposecontainer i.e. a solid/liquid carrier. Such an element can have arelatively lightly constructed base plate 22 as it will be bolted to thebase plate of the container which is strong enough to stand pressure.

What is claimed is:

l. A cargo container comprising a. a first rigid member,

b. a second rigid member, substantially coextensive with said firstrigid member and movable towards and away from said first rigid memberbetween an inner position relatively close to said first rigid memberand an outer position relatively far from said first rigid member,

. a flexible fluid impermeable sleeve having a plurality of preformedcorrugations therein and extensible in concertina-like fashion,

d. sleeve securing means sealingly securing said ends of said sleeveperipherally to said first and second rigid members respectively wherebysaid sleeve and said rigid members together form an expansiblefluidtight vessel, said sleeve securing means including i. a peripheralflange on at least one said rigid member and defining a channel having aconstricted opening, which channel is adapted to receive one end of saidsleeve, and

ii. an inflatable member within said channel, whereby on inflation ofsaid inflatable member said one end is sealed in fluidtight fashionperipherally to said rigid member,

e. continuous rigid outer walls fast with said first rigid member andadapted to guide said second rigid member in its movement between thesaid inner and outer positions, to support said sleeve against pressurewithin said vessel and to protect said sleeve against external damaginginfluences, and

f. spacer means mounted within said vessel and spaced from said rigidouter walls so as to provide between said first and second rigid membersand between the said spacer means and said rigid outer walls in saidinner position of said second rigid member a dead space to receive saidsleeve.

2. A cargo container according to claim 1 and further comprisingflexible means secured to said sleeve at points which are spaced alongsaid sleeve in the direction in which it is extensible, which points areseparated one from another by at least one said corrugation, whereby, assaid vessel expands to an expanded condition upon movement of saidsecond rigid member towards its outer position, the extension of saidsleeve is controlled by said flexible means.

3. A cargo container according to claim 1 and further comprising airvent pipe means adapted to enable substantially all the air within thevessel to be expelled on filling it with liquid, said pipe means beingflexible and arranged to stow behind said second rigid member, when thevessel is in its collapsed condition, so as not to be borne on by anyspacing or load bearing member.

4. A cargo container according to claim 1 wherein said sleeve is made ofoil-resisting rubber, wherein a door is provided in said rigid outerwalls and wherein a man-hole is provided in said second rigid member tofacilitate access to the interior of said vessel.

5. A cargo container according to claim 1 wherein a flange is providedon said rigid outer walls, said flange being adapted to cooperate withsaid second rigid member in its outer position to prevent furthermovement thereof away from said first rigid member and wherein aplurality of locating pins are provided to locate said second rigidmember in its outer position.

6. A cargo container according to claim 1 wherein a flange is providedon said rigid outer walls, said flange being adapted to cooperate withsaid second rigid member in its outer position to prevent furthermovement thereof away from said first rigid member and wherein aplurality of adjustable bracing means are provided to brace said secondrigid member in a position intermediate its inner and outer positionsagainst said flange.

7. A cargo container according to claim 1 wherein a flange is providedon the said rigid outer walls, said flange being adapted to cooperatewith said second rigid member in its outer position to prevent furthermovement thereof away from first said rigid member, wherein said secondrigid member and said flange are each provided with a plurality ofaligned apertures and wherein there are further provided a plurality oflocking members lockingly engageable in said apertures to lock saidsecond rigid member in its outer position to said flange.

8. A cargo container according to claim 1 wherein a flange is providedon said rigid outer walls, said flange being adapted to cooperate withsaid second rigid member in its outer position to prevent furthermovement thereof away from said first rigid member, wherein said secondrigid member and flange are each provided with a plurality of of alignedapertures and wherein there are further provided a plurality ofadjustable bracing means adapted to engage lockingly with said slots tolock said second rigid member in a position intermediate its inner andouter positions to said flange.

9. A cargo container according to claim 1 in which said rigid outerwalls are pierced with a plurality of apertures disposed at locationscorresponding to position of said second rigid member intermediate itsinner and outer positions and further comprising a plurality of boltsthreadably engageable with said second rigid member to lock said secondrigid member in said intermediate position.

10. A cargo container according to claim 1 wherein said first rigidmember comprises the base of said container,

1. A cargo container comprising a. a first rigid member, b. a secondrigid member, substantially coextensive with said first rigid member andmovable towards and away from said first rigid member between an innerposition relatively close to said first rigid member and an outerposition relatively far from said first rigid member, c. a flexiblefluid impermeable sleeve having a plurality of preformed corrugationstherein and extensible in concertinalike fashion, d. sleeve securingmeans sealingly securing said ends of said sleeve peripherally to saidfirst and second rigid members respectively whereby said sleeve and saidrigid members together form an expansible fluidtight vessel, said sleevesecuring means including i. a peripheral flange on at least one saidrigid member and defining a channel having a constricted opening, whichchannel is adapted to receive one end of said sleeve, and ii. aninflatable member within said channel, whereby on inflation of saidinflatable member said one end is sealed in fluidtight fashionperipherally to said rigid member, e. continuous rigid outer walls fastwith said first rigid member and adapted to guide said second rigidmember in its movement between the said inner and outer positions, tosupport said sleeve against pressure within said vessel and to protectsaid sleeve against external damaging influences, and f. spacer meansmounted within said vessel and spaced from said rigid outer walls so asto provide between said first and second rigid members and between thesaid spacer means and said rigid outer walls in said inner position ofsaid second rigid member a dead space to receive said sleeve.
 2. A cargocontainer according to claim 1 and further comprising flexible meanssecured to said sleeve at points which are spaced along said sleeve inthe direction in which it is extensible, which points are separated onefrom another by at least one said corrugation, whereby, as said vesselexpands to an expanded condition upon movement of said second rigidmember towards its outer position, the extension of said sleeve iscontrolled by said flexible means.
 3. A cargo container according toclaim 1 and further cOmprising air vent pipe means adapted to enablesubstantially all the air within the vessel to be expelled on filling itwith liquid, said pipe means being flexible and arranged to stow behindsaid second rigid member, when the vessel is in its collapsed condition,so as not to be borne on by any spacing or load bearing member.
 4. Acargo container according to claim 1 wherein said sleeve is made ofoil-resisting rubber, wherein a door is provided in said rigid outerwalls and wherein a man-hole is provided in said second rigid member tofacilitate access to the interior of said vessel.
 5. A cargo containeraccording to claim 1 wherein a flange is provided on said rigid outerwalls, said flange being adapted to cooperate with said second rigidmember in its outer position to prevent further movement thereof awayfrom said first rigid member and wherein a plurality of locating pinsare provided to locate said second rigid member in its outer position.6. A cargo container according to claim 1 wherein a flange is providedon said rigid outer walls, said flange being adapted to cooperate withsaid second rigid member in its outer position to prevent furthermovement thereof away from said first rigid member and wherein aplurality of adjustable bracing means are provided to brace said secondrigid member in a position intermediate its inner and outer positionsagainst said flange.
 7. A cargo container according to claim 1 wherein aflange is provided on the said rigid outer walls, said flange beingadapted to cooperate with said second rigid member in its outer positionto prevent further movement thereof away from first said rigid member,wherein said second rigid member and said flange are each provided witha plurality of aligned apertures and wherein there are further provideda plurality of locking members lockingly engageable in said apertures tolock said second rigid member in its outer position to said flange.
 8. Acargo container according to claim 1 wherein a flange is provided onsaid rigid outer walls, said flange being adapted to cooperate with saidsecond rigid member in its outer position to prevent further movementthereof away from said first rigid member, wherein said second rigidmember and flange are each provided with a plurality of of alignedapertures and wherein there are further provided a plurality ofadjustable bracing means adapted to engage lockingly with said slots tolock said second rigid member in a position intermediate its inner andouter positions to said flange.
 9. A cargo container according to claim1 in which said rigid outer walls are pierced with a plurality ofapertures disposed at locations corresponding to position of said secondrigid member intermediate its inner and outer positions and furthercomprising a plurality of bolts threadably engageable with said secondrigid member to lock said second rigid member in said intermediateposition.
 10. A cargo container according to claim 1 wherein said firstrigid member comprises the base of said container, wherein said secondrigid member comprises a reinforced platform movable in a substantiallyvertical direction and wherein said rigid outer walls are dismountablefrom said container to permit of access to the outside of saidexpansible vessel.